Cartier tiaras played a starring role at the 1937 coronation of George VI, the subject of the recently launched film, "The King's Speech" starring Colin Firth and Helena Bonham-Carter. Scenes from the film reveal intriguing period details including, of course, jewellery. And King George VI's coronation was a prime occasion on which to show off your jewels.Cartier was one of the houses that made finery for guests at the coronation and the house in London was commissioned to create 27 tiaras for the royal event. The two shown here are typical of the era in the style of settings and use of coloured stones together with diamonds. Both can be dismounted and the central jewel worn as a brooch. Cartier had been accepting royal commissions in London since 1904. George's brother, Edward VIII, who married Wallis Simpson (see post on the Duchess of Windsor's jewels here) was another keen customer of the house. The tiaras were on show at the British Embassy in Paris for the preview of Tom Hooper's film.
